Printable brush lettering calligraphy guide sheet (PDF)

For brush lettering with a brush pen, a generous x-height of 8 to 12 mm helps you control the pressure.

Style

Tool

Nib

Width, in mm

x-height

In nib widths

Ascenders

Nib widths above the x-height

Descenders

Nib widths below the baseline

Capitals

Nib widths from the baseline; 0, no line

Nib angle

Degrees; one mark on each line. 0, no mark

Slant

Degrees from horizontal; 90, upright

Slant lines every

mm between slant lines

Line spacing

mm between lines

Paper

Orientation

Line tone

Nib-width ladder in the margin of each line Shade the x-height QR code to come back to this guide bottom right

Model to trace

Font

What to write

Letters

Letter

With “A single letter”, the one that is repeated; with “Random words”, optionally, only words that contain it.

Regenerate

Text

In light grey, at the x-height of the guide; whatever doesn't fit continues on the next line.

Where

Reset values

Print it at actual size (100%, without “fit to page”) so the measurements are exact.

5 lines per sheet · Brush lettering · nib 3.8 mm · x: 5 nib widths (19 mm) · ascenders: 3 · descenders: 3 · nib at 40° · upright

How to read the guide sheet

The strongest line is the baseline; the one above it is the x-height (the shaded band).
The dashed lines mark how far ascenders and descenders reach; the dotted one, the capitals.
The ladder in the margin is made of squares the width of your nib: use it to check the size matches yours.
The stroke at the start of each line marks the angle to hold the nib at.
The slant lines help you keep the same angle in every letter.
The QR code at the bottom opens this same guide on neografo, with all its values: to print it again or change something. If the model's font is no longer available, another one of the style is used.

Want to learn the style? Check the tutorials or share your practice in resources.